Naut. [f. CAN sb.1 + BUOY sb.] A large cone-shaped buoy, floated over sands, shallows, etc., and usually painted of a definite color for purposes of recognition. (Formerly called can-bodies, Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk.)
1626. Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Sea-men, 13. A boy, a can boy.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), Can-Buoys … are in the form of a cone, and of this construction are all the buoys which are floated over dangerous banks and shallows.
1858. Merc. Mar. Mag., V. 317. The Black Can Buoy on the Black Tail Spit.
1875. Bedford, Sailor’s Pocket-bk., V. (ed. 2), 136. Single-coloured can buoys … will mark the starboard side.
